Latest News
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Lufthansa Group integrates subsidiaries more closely
The Lufthansa Group, a German airline, said that it would be integrating more closely its European subsidiaries such as Austrian Airlines, Swiss and Swiss to increase efficiency and profitability. Brussels Airlines said that the units, including Brussels Airlines, would cede to the parent group control of network management for short- and medium-haul flight, as well information technology management from January. The operating airlines of the group, including Lufthansa Germany, will continue managing customer experience, flight operation and services. The company stated that the move would bring together the airline companies within the group and allow them to work in a more integrated way in the future. Prior to this, the long-haul network of airline brands and the frequent flyer loyalty scheme were managed by the headquarters. The German Pilots' Union VC announced in a separate press release on Friday that a vote among its members would take place until September 30 to decide whether or not they will strike over a dispute regarding Lufthansa’s pension plan. (Reporting and editing by Thomas Seythal, with Ludwig Burger)
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Source: Ukrainian drone attack suspends loading at Russian oil terminal
Unnamed official of Ukraine's SBU told that a drone attack by Ukraine had suspended oil loading at the Primorsk port in Russia overnight. Officials said the fires were caused by the attack at the facility. This is a major Russian oil export hub. However, they did not specify whether the suspension continues. The governor of Primorsk, where the port is situated in Russia, said that the drone attack had caused a fire on a vessel as well as a pumping station. This was the first drone strike reported on one of the largest oil and fuel terminals of the country. He didn't mention the conflict in Ukraine. Instead, he said that the fire was put out and there were no spills of oil. (Reporting and writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by PhilippaFletcher).
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Drones with long-range, 'kamikaze,' seen near RSF base may worsen conflict in Sudan
The presence of more than a dozen long range kamikaze drones near an airport controlled Sudan's Rapid Support Forces in May during a major aerial assault on army territories indicates that the paramilitaries possess new weapons which could change the course the war. The conflict between RSF and Sudan’s army, which has lasted for two and a half years, has caused the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, attracting a wide range of foreign interests and threatening the fragmentation of the strategically important Red Sea country. Sudan is a major producer and exporter gold. Images and analyses shared and verified by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab showed 13 "delta wing" drones with launch gear near Nyala Airport in Sudan's western Darfur Region on May 6, this year. These drones are designed to crash directly into their targets and have a typical range of around 2,000 km (1200 miles), which would allow them to reach anywhere in Sudan, far beyond any previous models that the RSF had. Yale deemed it to be one of two Chinese models. The two experts who were contacted said that they couldn't confirm the manufacturer, but agreed on a likely range. Companies in Russia and Iran also produce similar models. The Chinese foreign ministry denied knowing anything about the drones. A spokesperson stated that China has always taken a responsible and prudent approach to military exports. It has also consistently and conscientiously adhered to relevant Security Council Resolutions and met its own international obligations. The Chinese Ministry of Defence did not respond immediately to comments. The drones and launch platforms were seen near Nyala Airport between May 3-9. This coincided with the barrage of drone strikes on Port Sudan. Researchers said that the drones had disappeared by May 9, while the launch platforms were still visible up until early September. Some analysts at the time speculated that an attack on the army’s wartime capital, around 1,600 km away from Nyala, may have been launched by areas in the east of Sudan because the RSF did not have such capabilities. Sudan accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of carrying out attacks with warplanes, kamikaze drones and a base Emirati on the Red Sea. The UAE has denied these allegations and denied them repeatedly. Since losing the center and east of Sudan earlier this year, RSF has increased its air capability and relied more on drone attacks. Paramilitary groups launched drone strikes on Khartoum's capital this week, claiming to be in response to military attacks against civilians in other parts of Sudan. However, it is not known what models were used. Wim Zwijnenburg, of the Dutch peace organization Pax and the defence intelligence firm Janes confirmed that the images from May showed delta-winged suicide drones with a long range. These models are similar to those produced in many countries. They have a range of about 2,000 km. RSF didn't immediately respond to comments sent to its spokesperson. The RSF reiterated its allegations on Thursday that the army targeted civilians with drone attacks. The army denies the allegations. In the beginning of this year, three CH-95 drones manufactured by China with a range up to 200km were identified at Nyala Airport. The RSF launched drone attacks against targets within close range, including fuel depots and military bases in areas controlled by Sudanese forces. The Sudanese Army has targeted Nyala Airport and its surrounding areas repeatedly, including earlier this week with strikes. Yale researchers have not determined how drones could have reached Darfur. Darfur has been subject to an arms embargo since the early 2000s. This embargo has been repeatedly violated. (Khalid Abdelaziz contributed additional reporting; Beijing Newsroom edited by Alexander Dziadosz Philippa Fletcher Kevin Liffey.
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South Korean workers go home after a week of immigration raid
About 300 South Korean workers were released on Friday after being held for a week in an extensive U.S. Immigration raid in Georgia at a site of a battery-project. Officials, including the chief of staff to the president, cheered as workers wearing masks disembarked a chartered flight at Incheon Airport. Seoul had been in intense negotiations for a week to secure their release and return them after they were arrested in handcuffs. This shocked many South Koreans, who are a close ally of the United States. South Korean companies have struggled for years to obtain the proper visas needed for specialists who are required at project sites. Some workers have relied on grey areas of U.S. Visa enforcement. According to the South Korean foreign minister, who was in Washington this week, both countries are considering establishing a group to examine a new visa type for Koreans. Families and representatives of LG Energy Solution and its subcontractors welcomed the workers, which included 10 Chinese, 3 Japanese and one Indonesian. The battery company has partnered with Hyundai Motor in order to build a plant in Georgia. The raid has horrified South Koreans, and threatened to destabilise relations at a time that the two countries are trying to finalise an agreement on trade which includes a fund of $350 billion to support strategic U.S. Industries. Someone unfurled a poster at the arrival gate that showed Donald Trump, the U.S. president, wearing an outfit with initials for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and carrying a large bag of dollar bills, with a machinegun slung across the chest. The caption read "We're Friends!" ". Cho Hyun, the South Korean Foreign Ministry, flew this week to Washington to try to find a quick solution. He has asked U.S. officials for a new visa that would be available to workers of Korean companies investing in the United States. The President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, warned that the incident may make South Korean firms hesitant to invest in the U.S. at a moment when Trump is trying to encourage foreign manufacturing investment. (Reporting and editing by Ed Davies, Edwiina gibbs and Ju-min Park; Additional reporting and editing by Hyunjoo Ji and Ju-min Park)
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UK sanctions new Russia-related measures targeting weapons and shadow fleet suppliers
The United Kingdom launched a new set of sanctions against Russia on Friday. They target ships that carry Russian oil as well as individuals and companies who supply electronics, chemicals, and explosives for the production of Russian weapons. In a press release, the British government stated that the package was in response to recent Russian aggression. It referred to the increased number of Russian missile and drone attacks against Ukraine in the last few months and the violation by Poland of NATO airspace. on Wednesday "International action is essential to increase economic pressure and cut off the critical cash flow that he needs to pay for his illegal war," said Yvette Cooper, the new Foreign Minister of Canada. Visited Kyiv, Ukraine on Friday These sanctions are the next step in the UK's efforts to increase economic pressure along with our security support. The new sanctions are aimed at 70 additional ships that Britain claims were used to transport Russian crude oil, and 30 individuals and companies it says were involved in providing the Russian military with equipment used in weapon systems. These include a China-based electronics company and one in Turkey. (Reporting and editing by Sarah Young, with William James)
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Via Transportation raises $493 Million in US IPO valued at $3.65 Billion
Via Transportation, a transit technology company and a few existing investors, raised $492.9 in an initial public offering in the United States on Thursday. This is the latest addition to a September rebound of IPO activity. Via, a New York-based firm, sold 10.7 million shares for $46 each. This was above the $40 to $44 range that it had advertised. Via's valuation is $3.65 billion. The U.S. IPO Market has recovered in the fall window of 2025. This is due to an ebullient market, rising expectations of rate reductions, and the strong debuts of several big names. Investor anxiety about President Donald Trump's new tariffs has started to subside, which is a positive development for companies looking to enter the public market. The U.S. listed shares of Swedish fintech company Klarna rose by 30% on opening day, one of the most anticipated debuts this year. Via, founded in 2012, combines intelligent routing and on-demand shared rides to optimize public transportation systems in more than 30 countries. Increasing urban congestion and environmental concerns has led governments around the world to call for sustainable mixed-mode public transport systems. Via filed a confidential IPO application in late 2021. In a 2023 round of funding led by venture capital firm 83North, the company was valued at $3.5billion. Goldman Sachs is the lead underwriter for Via. Morgan Stanley, Allen & Company, and Wells Fargo will also be involved. The company intends to list its shares at the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "VIA" on Friday. On Friday, several other companies will also go public, including the cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, owned by the Winklevoss Twins, and Legence, a Blackstone-backed engineering service provider.
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Drones with long-range, 'kamikaze-style' range seen near RSF base may worsen the conflict in Sudan
The presence of more than a dozen long range kamikaze drones near an airport controlled Sudan's Rapid Support Forces in May during a major aerial assault on army territories indicates that the paramilitaries possess new weapons which could change the course the war. The conflict between RSF and Sudan’s army, which has lasted for two and a half years, has caused the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, drawing a wide range of foreign interests and threatening the fragmentation of the strategically important Red Sea country. Sudan is a major producer and exporter gold. Images and analyses shared and verified by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab showed 13 "delta wing" drones with launch gear near Nyala Airport in Sudan's western Darfur Region on May 6, this year. These drones are designed to crash directly into their targets and have a typical range of around 2,000 km (1200 miles), which would allow them to reach anywhere in Sudan, far beyond any previous models that the RSF had. Yale deemed it to be one of two Chinese models. The two experts who were contacted said that they couldn't confirm the manufacturer, but agreed on a likely range. Companies in Russia and Iran also produce similar models. The Chinese defence ministry and the foreign ministry have not responded to comments immediately. The drones and launch platforms were seen near Nyala Airport between May 3-9. This coincided with the barrage of drone strikes on Port Sudan. Researchers said that the drones had disappeared by May 9, while the launch platforms were still visible up until early September. Some analysts at the time speculated that an attack on the army’s wartime capital, around 1,600 km away from Nyala, may have been launched by areas in the east of Sudan because the RSF did not have such capabilities. Sudan accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of carrying out attacks with warplanes, kamikaze drones and a base Emirati on the Red Sea. The UAE has denied these allegations and denied them repeatedly. Since losing the center and east of Sudan earlier this year, RSF has increased its air capability and relied more on drone attacks. Paramilitary groups launched drone strikes on Khartoum's capital this week, claiming to be in response to military attacks against civilians in other parts of Sudan. However, it is not known what models were used. Wim Zwijnenburg, of the Dutch peace organization Pax and the defence intelligence firm Janes confirmed that the images from May showed delta-winged suicide drones with a long range. These models are similar to those produced in many countries. They have a range of about 2,000 km. RSF didn't immediately respond to comments sent to its spokesperson. The RSF reiterated its allegations on Thursday that the army targeted civilians with drone attacks. The army denies the allegations. In the beginning of this year, three CH-95 drones manufactured by China with a range up to 200km were identified at Nyala Airport. The RSF launched drone attacks against targets within close range, including fuel depots and military bases in areas controlled by Sudanese forces. The Sudanese Army has targeted Nyala Airport and its surrounding areas repeatedly, including earlier this week with strikes. Yale researchers have not determined how drones could have reached Darfur. Darfur has been subject to an arms embargo since the early 2000s. This embargo has been repeatedly violated. (Additional reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz, Beijing Newsroom and Philippa Fletcher; editing by Alexander Dziadosz)
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Petronas delivers first local sustainable aviation fuel to Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines' national carrier, Malaysia Aviation Group, and the state-owned energy company Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) announced on Friday that they had received the first locally blended sustainable aviation fuel in the country. Petronas announced in a press release that the SAF had been blended locally at its processing facilities, and was delivered to Kuala Lumpur International Airport to fuel the airline's daily flights from London to Kuala Lumpur until September 16. It said that the move marked a tangible step towards integrating renewable fuel into Malaysia Airlines' normal operations. Ahmad Adly Alias is the vice president of the company in charge of refining and marketing. He said that the company was aware of its role as an enabler in the global drive towards decarbonisation. Malaysia is looking to increase its domestic production of SAF, blend it and supply it. In a national energy transition roadmap for 2023, the government aims to mandate a SAF blend of 47% by 2050. The state news agency reported that it announced last month its intention to implement a mandate requiring international flights departing KLIA in January 2027 to blend 1% SAF.
NHTSA: Rivian recalls 24,000 US cars over highway assist software defects
Rivian will recall 24,214 R1S or R1T electric cars due to a defect in software that could cause the hands-free Highway Assist to incorrectly identify lead vehicles. This was announced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Friday.
NHTSA says that the problem affects 2025 Rivian cars in the United States running an older version of software.
The NHTSA said that Rivian had released a software update over the air to correct the problem.
A 2025 R1S vehicle was involved in an accident where the system classified the vehicle as a low speed vehicle. The driver did not maintain control.
The race to introduce advanced driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist has intensified.
Rivian is also working on "eyes off" and hands-free systems as part its push for autonomous driving technology.
(source: Reuters)